German-Helmets.com
- The Online Reference Guide to World War II German Helmets 1933-1945

Deutsche Polizei:
Feuerwehr - Fire Protection

The Insignia of the
German Police and Fire Brigades

Fire
Protection Brigades

Prior to 1938 fire brigade units operated
independently in the towns, cities, and states within Germany.
Units were generally part of the municipal services
administered by the local government under the direction of
the mayor. Helmets worn by these firemen were often
early style leather helmets common in design to many fire
protection helmets worn in other European nations.

On 6
February 1934 the Prussian Interior Ministry introduced an
order that approved the production of light weight steel
helmets for use by all fire protection personnel. This
followed a period of testing where prototype helmets were
examined for durability and protective qualities. One
such prototype utilized a composite core material similar to
fiberglass. This substance was called "Vulkanfiber."
Helmets were generally produced in aluminum or light weight
steel often termed "Edelstahl" as a trade name. Helmets
were produced in matte and satin black color with an aluminum
protective comb on the top.

In 1938 fire-fighting organizations throughout
Germany were incorporated into the overall police system.
The
newly created Fire Protection Police (Feuerschutzpolizei) became a
branch of the Order Police (Ordnungspolizei) and members were
responsible for all fire-fighting related duties in towns or
cities large enough to support a fire-fighting unit.
These units were under the direct authority of the local
police system which provided greater authority to the
fire-fighting brigades.

Little changed
in overall uniform or headgear save for the addition of the
cloth police eagle insignia sewn to the various uniforms worn
by fire-fighting personnel. Helmets worn by fire brigade
personnel continued to be used without modification following
the integration into the Order Police. The typical
helmet utilized a variety of liner systems and chinstraps.
Helmets were normally outfitted with leather tabs that could
accommodate a removable black leather neck flap.

Overview

Each section of German-Helmets.com
is divided into separate Information Tracks that outline important
details, facts, and historical notes pertaining to steel helmets used by
the German Armed Forces during World War II.

Information Tracks are organized
by subject matter and their content is directly related to the service arm
or organization to which each topic is related. Topic areas that
bridge one subject matter to another are cross linked within each Information Track.

This Information Track provides historical
facts pertaining to helmets of the Fire Protection Brigades (Feuerwehren) from 1933-1938.
Individual links related to this subject are outlined below.